West Greenwich, RI (02817)
source: http://www.ewgrsd.org/
source: http://www.ewgrsd.org/


Grace Gleason, Kyle Rodrigues, Jenna Santoro, Elizabeth Tramonti

A picturesque, historic New England town, West Greenwich’s original deed was effectuated in June of 1709[1] . Named for Greenwich (Kent, England), it was bequeathed to thirteen local Warwick and East Greenwich families who established it as a separate town from East Greenwich in 1741 [ibid]. Exeter was officially founded just one year later, in 1742.[2] Today’s West Greenwich/Exeter region boasts numerous pastoral greenwood haunts, including Arcadia Forest,[3] Tillinghast Pond,[4] Wickaboxet State Management Area,[5] and URI's Alton Jones Campus.[6] There’s something for anyone here: the birthplace of General Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary leader and personal friend of General George Washington;[7] the New England Wireless and Steam Museum, an engineering haven boasting the world's oldest working wireless station;[8] the grave site of Mercy Brown, considered the world's last blood-sucking vampire and partial inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula;[9] and Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park.[10] But what does this mean for the children who attend school here every day? How does living in the West Greenwich-Exeter region affect the lives of the 1,645 children who are the future of that town - and, indeed, the nation?[11]

With a thorough explanation in regards to the socio-economic make-up of the 02817 district, we hope to tender not only the positive and negative aspects of that populace but the significance to its student body.







Geography and Environment
by Elizabeth Tramonti
source: http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/
source: http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/

Located in the westernmost point of the state, West Greenwich boasted 12,918 acres - around 62% of the town - of forest, farm, or open space as of 1995.[12] Due to poor soil health, the areas able to be cultivated for both industrial and residential development are extremely limited. Below sea level, rocky, and permeable, the ground can't support the underground infrastructures required to support a higher number of residents.[13] Exeter has similar problems, with asymmetrical topography and a large amount of maritime geographical features, including numerous fresh water ponds and the two rivers that skirt the boundaries of the town - the Wood River and the Queen's River.[14] Both Exeter and West Greenwich had their beginnings as hidden, rural towns, dependent on farming and small manufacturing sites dotted around the county. By the nineteenth century, the advent of the Industrial Revoultion, populations began to sharply and rapidly decline. Members of long-standing families sought work in other cities' factories, among America's first.[15] [16] While sawmills, shingle mills, and cotton mills did spring up in the Nooseneck area, the plants didn't draw any newcomers to the area and only managed to barely stabilize the current community.[17] Only with the construction of I-95 in the area did population growth once again begin to climb [ibid]. Most house-holders moved in during the early 2000s - with 1,294 of 2,160 homeowners reporting obtaining their home from 2000 on.[18]

Located about twenty miles southwest of Providence (the state's capital),[19] three highways run through the center of the district. The largest, of course, is I-95, which runs north-south and perpendicular to Route 165. Braided with 95, Route 3 intersects further north with Route 102. At the southern most edge of the eastern town border, Route 2 brushes past the landscape.[20] Coventry, West Warwick, and Warwick frame the region's northernmost borders. East Greenwich and North Kingstown are its neighbors to the east, while South Kingstown, Richmond, and Hopkinton all skim the southern contours. Connecticut completes the framework, solidly blockading the state to the west.[21] Lake Mishnock, located in West Greenwich, provides drinking water to the local community;[22] Exeter's drinking water comes from the Annaquatucket Mill Pond.[23] As previously mentioned, the area has a plethora of lakes, ponds, and rivers that cut through the landscape.

As you can imagine, these sleepy little towns - with no real ability to become a bustling metropolis, despite its best efforts - would be a parent's dream to raise their children in.

Poverty and Income

by Elizabeth Tramonti
An aflluent and up-and-coming district, the median household income is $78,438 (with a margin of error of only $8,274).[24] Compare that with $53,657 - the United States' median household income[25] - or Rhode Island's, at $56,361.[26] Families living here - defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as "a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together"[27] and constituting 78.4% of the population[28] - earned $90, 362, margin of error in either direction as $12,034.[29]

Destitution barely reaches this district. As of 2000, only 152 of 2,811 children in both towns - 112 in Exeter and 40 in West Greenwich - lived in families below the poverty threshold,[30] defined as the set dollar amount defined by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies depending on how many make up a family to determine if that family is in penury. Generally, their income would have to be less than that set value in order for the family to be considered poor.[31] The 02817 region had only 0.37% of the 41,162 of the state's populace under the age of eighteen living under hardship at the time.[32] These numbers are in a considerable state of flux - Exeter's populations lowered to just 80 children from 2009-13 (with a 6.6% margin of error) and West Greenwich's almost doubled at 74 (with a 5.1% margin of error). Even still, the area only had 0.36% of Rhode Island's 42,247 students living under the poverty limit [ibid]. The 19.5% of Rhode Island children who live in poverty[33] are below the national average, which was 21.1% for persons under the age of eighteen during 2014.[34] Of the 1,648 students enrolled in the West Greenwich-Exeter school system, fewer than ten students were reported by staff and personnel to lack a "fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime domicile."[35] Only 7 children in Exeter and West Greenwich (1% of Exeter's population and less than 1% for West Greenwich) received RI Works, the cash assistance program, in the state as of December 1, 2014. RI Works gives maximum benefits to those families under one-half the federal poverty level, who are living in extreme poverty,[36] which the World Bank defines as less than $2 per person in a family per day in 2012.[37] 165 youths received SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that year as well, 0.27% of the 60,982 recipients in the state under the age of eighteen.[38] WIC is a special nutritional program for women, infants, and children - not only does it provides extra cash assistance, but also demands that the enrolled participate in nutrition education as well as health and social services. To be able to receive assistance, you must be at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. (Those garnering other federally- or locally-sustained welfare who meet the criteria are automatically enrolled.) Of 101 eligible participants in Exeter, 56 (or 55%) are reaping the benefits of the program. The participation rate is higher in West Greenwich, with 50 of 83 qualified recipients engaged (or 60%). Rhode Island's average participation for those entitled is 65% (25,398) of 39,039.[39]

Few of the students are in need of supplementary aid for meals or other benefits, while most of the families have more than enough money to support themselves. Usually, students who come from families with a higher level of income have more numerous and more successful boosts to succeed. Parents often demand their children spend a decent amount of time on homework and remain deeply involved in their progeny's life and well-being. With median households so high, taxes will also give educational centers much better resources and higher expectations from local parents.

Family Life
by Grace Gleason
With a population of 6,135 as of 2010,[40] most of whom live in two-person homes, it may come as no surprise to others that there are only 2,370 housing units in the region of 02817. 1,859 of those units are single-family, detached homes - the majority built from 2000 to 2009 (about 626 homes), three bedroom houses (986 homes), with seven rooms total (513 homes). Most citizens own their own homes - only 466 rent their homes.[41]

In West Greenwich, there are 3,348 people over twenty-five years of age. Only 81 people dropped out of school before ninth grade. The amount of citizens who enrolled in high school but didn’t come away with a diploma was 202. 924 citizens graduated high school or received a GED/diploma-equivalent. While 1,207 people didn’t attend college, 1,143 enrolled in college - but, sadly, didn’t complete their degree. 662 people graduated with a bachelor's degree and 272 people went on to earn a master's degree. Finally, 62 people pursued a doctorate. 336 people received a graduate or professional degree.
In Exeter, 86% completed high school or higher education. 30.2% graduated with a bachelor’s degree and 10.2% received a graduate or professional degree.[42]

Out of the approximately 6,135 residents in West Greenwich, the majority of people speak English as their spoken language at home. A survey was done on residents over 5 years old and 95.9% speak English only out of the total 4,706 citizens. That is about 4,515 people. Only .7% of people surveyed admit that they “Speak English less than very well” which comes out to 33 people. There are zero people that cannot speak English.[43]

Health and Safety

by Kyle Rodrigues
Thanks to its quaint, bucolic location, West Greenwich experiences little to no major crime and could be considered incredibly healthy and safe. West Greenwich has exceptional air quality. This area has historically seen very little industrialization, so the area is still exceptionally rural and has little air pollution . Otherwise, the 02817 area is relatively average to state or national qualities. Water quality is slightly better the national average. Additionally, slightly more physicians have practices in West Greenwich than the average of US and RI. Citizens pay slightly more for health care than the national average..
Reference - double click to edit
Reference - double click to edit


As of recent years, this area has experienced a low rate of crime. The town's number of violent crimes is about 96% lower than the national average. Larceny is 25% lower than the national average. Robbery and vehicle theft are about 80% lower than the national average.
Reference - double click to edit
Reference - double click to edit


Crime and Safety

by Jenna Santoro

Screenshot (4).png
source: http://www.homefacts.com/


Crime rates in West Greenwich by Year
Type
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2013
Murders
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
per 100,000
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Rapes
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
per 100,000
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
49.3
Robberies
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
per 100,000
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
17.8
15.7
0.0
15.3
15.3
16.3
16.4
Assaults
0
0
5
3
4
2
2
1
2
1
3
3
per 100,000
0.0
0.0
90.2
53.5
71.0
35.5
31.4
15.3
30.6
15.3
49.0
49.3
Burglaries
11
14
21
8
18
7
14
17
24
32
15
28
per 100,000
214.2
269.8
379.0
142.7
319.5
124.3
219.7
260.5
367.0
490.0
244.8
460.1
Thefts
56
79
92
66
56
91
59
76
80
79
55
50
per 100,000
1,090.3
1,522.5
1,660.4
1,177.1
994.0
1,615.8
926.1
1,164.4
1,223.2
1,209.6
897.5
821.7
Auto thefts
1
6
8
3
7
3
6
4
2
4
11
4
per 100,000
19.5
115.6
144.4
53.5
124.2
53.3
94.2
61.3
30.6
61.2
179.5
65.7
Arson
0
0
2
1
0
1
2
3
3
0
2
2
per 100,000
0.0
0.0
36.1
17.8
0.0
17.8
31.4
46.0
45.9
0.0
32.6
32.9
City-data.com crime index (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 297.8)
61.4
90.8
125.0
73.5
88.0
91.8
72.3
74.2
89.5
97.1
83.7
127.0
Here is some history about the crime rates in West Greenwich, Rhode Island so you can try to get an idea of what the community might be like in terms of safety. In West Greenwich, Rhode Island as you can see there have been no murders in the town. There were three rapes recorded in 2013 as well as a robbery recorded in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013. There were 5 assaults in 2003, 3 in 2004, 4 in 2005, 2 in 2006 and 2007, 1 in 2008, 2 in 2009, 1 in 2010, and 3 in 2011 and 2013. There were burglaries in every year on the chart as well as a significant amount of thefts. There were also auto thefts each year and arson has occurred in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2013.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/West-Greenwich-Rhode-Island.html#ixzz3pglDSYq0

Conclusion

Almost ridiculously perfect, the Exeter-West Greenwich region faces little in the way of educational difficulties. Families from the area are prosperous, with a low rate of poverty and welfare recipients. The major crimes that occur are burglaries, the majority being non-violent. Health concerns are minimal, with good sources of water and excellent air quality. Citizens are educated as well, with stable incomes, that can provide for their children. Thanks to its location and the quality of the ground, future expansion will be slowed down. The 02817 is idyllic for raising children.
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  30. ^


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